Hawaiʻi men's basketball earns first career win over San Diego

There's a first time for everything.

​

In its first appearance in the Acrisure Invitational, the University of Hawaiʻi men's basketball team successfully defeated the San Diego Toreros, 77-66, to win the first annual tournament at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, and improve to a perfect 5-0 in 2023-24. It was also the 'Bows' first win over San Diego after four previous meetings, the last coming in 2007.

​

Noel Coleman led the way for the 'Bows with 26 points. Justin McKoy and JoVon McClanahan followed him at 17 each.

​

Deuce Turner led the way for the Toreros at 18 points. Wayne McKinney III was next with 15 points.

​

Bernardo da Silva drew first blood from the free throw line in the first half. For the first 10 minutes, UH and San Diego traded the lead several times, but UH ultimately had the final say thanks to a McKoy triple with 11:09 remaining.

​

San Diego hung tough and pulled within one point on two occasions, but Hawaiʻi's backcourt came to the rescue. Timely field goals by McKoy, Coleman, and Juan Munoz repeatedly sent San Diego back to square one.

​

McKoy sank one more triple with 46 seconds left, and UH would ultimately pull away. They took a healthy 34-25 lead at halftime.

​

The second half saw the Toreros try to make a push. They cut the gap to seven points early, but that was the closest they could get.

Back-to-back triples from McClanahan and Coleman gave the 'Bows a double-digit lead that they would never relinquish. A second triple from Coleman just about put the writing on the wall for the Toreros.

​

UH would eventually extend their lead to 21 points, 67-46, with five minutes remaining after a Coleman layup. That layup by Coleman was UH's final field goal for the night. Their last 10 points came at the free-throw line.

​

Despite being outscored by the Toreros, 20-10, in the final five minutes, there was no real danger.

​

Hawaiʻi will stay on the continent and travel to Salt Lake City, Utah to take on the Utah Utes at the Delta Center on Thursday, Nov. 30. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. HST. You can listen on the radio at ESPN Honolulu, or watch on the Pac-12 Network.